honest opinion 911 997 v Vantage 4.3
Discussion
Folks just signed up to pistonheads and would like honest advice,I have owned 911 c4s (996) for 3 years and still like the car a lot, now 7 years old and time for me to trade up but I like most others love the looks of the Aston v8v and considering buying late 06 early 07 model,am I going to be disapointed with the reliability and are the servicing costs horrendous compared to the Porche ?, what are they like to live with, suspect I will do no more than 4kmiles a year.
Any advice appreciated.
Any advice appreciated.
they have there niggles like any car, reliability is good with the main issue being clutch life in the manual but this is down to driving style, i see cars with 30 to 40000 on the clock that are still on the first clutch and no signs of needing replacement soon
servicing costs vary on who you intend to use, so to get accurate pricing speak to who you want to look after it, as a guideline the servicing is yearly or 10000 miles, costs for say a third year service is £445.00 including parts labour and vat from an independent specialist, dealers can be double or more depending on location,
pads last about 20000 on the rear and 30000 on the front, cost at specialist to replace is £300.00 per axle
if the clutch did require replacing this is £1700.00 including the flywheel and slave cylinder again a specialist price with dealers being about £500 to £900 dearer.
tyres are about the same as for any sports car
hope this helps and as many has found if you do decide to buy one the only down side is the grin you get stuck with everytime you take for a drive
servicing costs vary on who you intend to use, so to get accurate pricing speak to who you want to look after it, as a guideline the servicing is yearly or 10000 miles, costs for say a third year service is £445.00 including parts labour and vat from an independent specialist, dealers can be double or more depending on location,
pads last about 20000 on the rear and 30000 on the front, cost at specialist to replace is £300.00 per axle
if the clutch did require replacing this is £1700.00 including the flywheel and slave cylinder again a specialist price with dealers being about £500 to £900 dearer.
tyres are about the same as for any sports car
hope this helps and as many has found if you do decide to buy one the only down side is the grin you get stuck with everytime you take for a drive
Hi RPT, nice decision to have to make. I went from a 997S to a V8V (4.3). Two very different cars that achieve almost identical results on road in different ways. The Porsche is the better drivers car IMO - by a small margin - IF you like the unique driving style needed. However the Aston will always feel more 'special'. You've done the Porsche thing, why not try the Aston (sounds like your heart wants too), you can always go back. Very early cars had niggles - don't I know it - but all is well now and any niggles the car you buy MIGHT have had will ahve long since been sorted.
Edited by Pugsey on Monday 20th July 09:27
I agree 100% with Pugsey.
I also went from a 996 4S to a 4.3 coupe almost two years ago and have never, ever looked back.
It looks ,feels and smells like a hand-made british sports car, the Porsche although very good is of course mass-produced and has that feel about it. If it looks like metal in the Vantage cabin - it is metal, and that's what I love so much about it.
Other peoples perception of it (and by default the driver)is about 10 gazillion times better than that of a Porsche - no more being stuck for hours trying to get out of side roads EVER ! Allow extra time on every journey for people to stop and talk to you about it, take pics etc!
Seems to attract far fewer boy racers too.
It is far,far less "sugical" than the Porsche to drive - much meatier and manly somehow, but still does exactly what you ask of it!
Bit heavy on juice,no matter how I drive it I stuggle to better 18mpg, main dealers are diabolically expensive. I've done the maths and it is still much cheaper to drive almost the length of the country and stay overnight in Derby for a service, and I have a feeling that there will be a huge amount of attention to detail there too, something that I have always felt lacking at my MD.
The niggles are just niggles when all's said and done - very frustrating especially as you drive home from the dealers having had a couple fixed and another new one appears 40 miles later!
I brought a very low mileage 07MY and in the last 18 months have had every single niggle/fault talked about on this forum.In truth most only once. All I can say is that the more you use it the quicker they come to light and can be rectified, and the better the car drives and responds into the bargain - it seemed to take to about 15000 miles for everything mechanical to bed in and settle down beautifully -it's much better to drive today than it was when I brought it.
You will almost certainly scuff the front left wheel until you get used to the length and visibilty across the bonnet.
Pull fuse 22, remove the front number plate plinth and affix plate direct to bumper but bit lower down (15 mins start to finish)and bob's your uncle !
They've never been cheaper - do it and use it as much as you can !
As an aside - I guess a 4.7 is even better but to my eye the new style central consol doesnt seem quite so integrated and flowing as does the one with the flush (and tiny) buttons on the earlier 4.3s.
Everything stated on here IMHO of course !
Good luck !
Nick
I also went from a 996 4S to a 4.3 coupe almost two years ago and have never, ever looked back.
It looks ,feels and smells like a hand-made british sports car, the Porsche although very good is of course mass-produced and has that feel about it. If it looks like metal in the Vantage cabin - it is metal, and that's what I love so much about it.
Other peoples perception of it (and by default the driver)is about 10 gazillion times better than that of a Porsche - no more being stuck for hours trying to get out of side roads EVER ! Allow extra time on every journey for people to stop and talk to you about it, take pics etc!
Seems to attract far fewer boy racers too.
It is far,far less "sugical" than the Porsche to drive - much meatier and manly somehow, but still does exactly what you ask of it!
Bit heavy on juice,no matter how I drive it I stuggle to better 18mpg, main dealers are diabolically expensive. I've done the maths and it is still much cheaper to drive almost the length of the country and stay overnight in Derby for a service, and I have a feeling that there will be a huge amount of attention to detail there too, something that I have always felt lacking at my MD.
The niggles are just niggles when all's said and done - very frustrating especially as you drive home from the dealers having had a couple fixed and another new one appears 40 miles later!
I brought a very low mileage 07MY and in the last 18 months have had every single niggle/fault talked about on this forum.In truth most only once. All I can say is that the more you use it the quicker they come to light and can be rectified, and the better the car drives and responds into the bargain - it seemed to take to about 15000 miles for everything mechanical to bed in and settle down beautifully -it's much better to drive today than it was when I brought it.
You will almost certainly scuff the front left wheel until you get used to the length and visibilty across the bonnet.
Pull fuse 22, remove the front number plate plinth and affix plate direct to bumper but bit lower down (15 mins start to finish)and bob's your uncle !
They've never been cheaper - do it and use it as much as you can !
As an aside - I guess a 4.7 is even better but to my eye the new style central consol doesnt seem quite so integrated and flowing as does the one with the flush (and tiny) buttons on the earlier 4.3s.
Everything stated on here IMHO of course !
Good luck !
Nick
This time last year I had a similar dilemma to you.
I actually went out to go and view a 997 and on the way went past an AM dealer, did a U-Turn and went in to look around (at this point I had not even considered an AM). Having sat in a few and realised I could afford the V8V for similar money as I wanted to spend on the 997 I organised a test drive there and then.... Needless to say I never actually made it to the Porsche dealer I was heading to.... and I am so glad with my choice 1 year on...
Last month I considered selling the V8V (I have never kept a car more than 6 months) but realised there was nothing else I would rather have, other than maybe a newer V8V... so I decided to keep another year
I actually went out to go and view a 997 and on the way went past an AM dealer, did a U-Turn and went in to look around (at this point I had not even considered an AM). Having sat in a few and realised I could afford the V8V for similar money as I wanted to spend on the 997 I organised a test drive there and then.... Needless to say I never actually made it to the Porsche dealer I was heading to.... and I am so glad with my choice 1 year on...
Last month I considered selling the V8V (I have never kept a car more than 6 months) but realised there was nothing else I would rather have, other than maybe a newer V8V... so I decided to keep another year
Yeah - been there and done it!
Had a few 911's, last two were 997S followed by a 977 Turbo. The V8 Vantage is different - it's special. Many, many appreciative looks and comments. Plus the noise!
The finish and interior is a great place to be with all the leather and stitching etc, and for the most part, if it's shiney it's made of metal, not faux chrome plastic!
Servicing on a newer Porsche is cheaper as the intervals are now 20K miles or 2 years. Aston is annual. Dynamically the Porsche is a 'better' bet, but the Aston TBH is not far behind. No regrets about my purchase - but intending to supplement the garage with a 993 (once I get the garage space extended!)
Graham
Had a few 911's, last two were 997S followed by a 977 Turbo. The V8 Vantage is different - it's special. Many, many appreciative looks and comments. Plus the noise!
The finish and interior is a great place to be with all the leather and stitching etc, and for the most part, if it's shiney it's made of metal, not faux chrome plastic!
Servicing on a newer Porsche is cheaper as the intervals are now 20K miles or 2 years. Aston is annual. Dynamically the Porsche is a 'better' bet, but the Aston TBH is not far behind. No regrets about my purchase - but intending to supplement the garage with a 993 (once I get the garage space extended!)
Graham
Another +, I'm a long term Porsche nut and am now on my 2nd Aston, still love Pork (which is ultimately the more involving drive) but as has been mentioned elsewhere the Aston brings a whole new top notch feel good factor to car ownership, while still being great to drive, it also make s refreshing change from Pork. No major issues with either of my cars (so far.....aside from the very smelly clutch on the latest!).
Best of luck & prepare to
Best of luck & prepare to
Thanks for all your replies,decision made and already in discussion with a Bentley dealer on one that is for sale in Glasgow (FYI I live in the NE Scotland)
Viewed the car and looks to be in excellent condition with only one concern on my part. Car has had 2 owners(no problem)but with 18k miles on the clock it has only had the 1st PDI inspection and second service which was not done until 15k miles(which was actually the 20k service)should I be concerned that this is a reflection on previous owners and how the car may have been treated?, I myself would not be too bothered of going over the annual service interval if I had very few miles done between last service but would not consider going over the mileage on the first service by 5k on this type and expense of car, your thoughts appreciated.
Viewed the car and looks to be in excellent condition with only one concern on my part. Car has had 2 owners(no problem)but with 18k miles on the clock it has only had the 1st PDI inspection and second service which was not done until 15k miles(which was actually the 20k service)should I be concerned that this is a reflection on previous owners and how the car may have been treated?, I myself would not be too bothered of going over the annual service interval if I had very few miles done between last service but would not consider going over the mileage on the first service by 5k on this type and expense of car, your thoughts appreciated.
RPT said:
Thanks for all your replies,decision made and already in discussion with a Bentley dealer on one that is for sale in Glasgow (FYI I live in the NE Scotland)
Viewed the car and looks to be in excellent condition with only one concern on my part. Car has had 2 owners(no problem)but with 18k miles on the clock it has only had the 1st PDI inspection and second service which was not done until 15k miles(which was actually the 20k service)should I be concerned that this is a reflection on previous owners and how the car may have been treated?, I myself would not be too bothered of going over the annual service interval if I had very few miles done between last service but would not consider going over the mileage on the first service by 5k on this type and expense of car, your thoughts appreciated.
Probably means nothing and may be a perfectly fine car. But why bother if it gives you even the slightest doubt? Still a buyers market with loads of other cars out there. Either that or use it to haggle a good deal...........Viewed the car and looks to be in excellent condition with only one concern on my part. Car has had 2 owners(no problem)but with 18k miles on the clock it has only had the 1st PDI inspection and second service which was not done until 15k miles(which was actually the 20k service)should I be concerned that this is a reflection on previous owners and how the car may have been treated?, I myself would not be too bothered of going over the annual service interval if I had very few miles done between last service but would not consider going over the mileage on the first service by 5k on this type and expense of car, your thoughts appreciated.
Pugsey said:
Probably means nothing and may be a perfectly fine car. But why bother if it gives you even the slightest doubt? Still a buyers market with loads of other cars out there. Either that or use it to haggle a good deal...........
Agree with this.That car does not have a full service history, and now never will. It might not matter to you, but it will to someone as and when you come to sell it.
Pugsey said:
RPT said:
Thanks for all your replies,decision made and already in discussion with a Bentley dealer on one that is for sale in Glasgow (FYI I live in the NE Scotland)
Viewed the car and looks to be in excellent condition with only one concern on my part. Car has had 2 owners(no problem)but with 18k miles on the clock it has only had the 1st PDI inspection and second service which was not done until 15k miles(which was actually the 20k service)should I be concerned that this is a reflection on previous owners and how the car may have been treated?, I myself would not be too bothered of going over the annual service interval if I had very few miles done between last service but would not consider going over the mileage on the first service by 5k on this type and expense of car, your thoughts appreciated.
Probably means nothing and may be a perfectly fine car. But why bother if it gives you even the slightest doubt? Still a buyers market with loads of other cars out there. Either that or use it to haggle a good deal...........Viewed the car and looks to be in excellent condition with only one concern on my part. Car has had 2 owners(no problem)but with 18k miles on the clock it has only had the 1st PDI inspection and second service which was not done until 15k miles(which was actually the 20k service)should I be concerned that this is a reflection on previous owners and how the car may have been treated?, I myself would not be too bothered of going over the annual service interval if I had very few miles done between last service but would not consider going over the mileage on the first service by 5k on this type and expense of car, your thoughts appreciated.
If I was turned off by a Gen 2 997...price/depreciation etc and fancied a AM V8....
what are the diffences between the 4.3 and 4.7...are they purely engine? when did the changes
hit the market? Thanks D
The changes are pretty extensive in terms of drive but visually the cars are almost unchanged.
Performance : Revised engine up from 4.3 to 4.7 (from 380bhp/410nm to 420bhp/470nm), improved economy, revised gearboxes (both manual and sportshift), lighter clutch, revised suspension, chassis and dampers, optional sportpack (with further improved springs, dampers and rear anti-roll bar and 5spoke lightweight wheels).
Trim : New wheels as standard, revised centre console (taken from DBS), additional aux connectivity, ECU key/start button, new HDD sat nav system, new LED interior lighting, pen, optional front parking sensors.
Available from late 2008.
Even fuller info can be found here : http://www.astonmartinmedia.com/content/allsites/d...
If you can afford it the 4.7 is a big step up, if not dont worry the 4.3 is a great car too.
The 997 and AM V8V and two cars competing in the same bracket but each delivers its package in a completely different way - test drive the two and you will see the difference is huge yet both are equally superb at what they do in their own way. The 997 is a slightly better drive and the seats are significantly more supportive than the AM V8V's, it is clinically superb in every way. The V8V is just hands down more beautiful, sounds like nothing else the right side of £100k and is just a total sensory package all round. Your head will always say 997, your heart AM V8V.
Pick up my brand new 4.7 Man Coupe tomorrow, and leaving behind my 2nd 997, which is a gen2 C2S PDK.
Rather excited (in case you cant tell from all the bumph above)! Cant wait!!!
Performance : Revised engine up from 4.3 to 4.7 (from 380bhp/410nm to 420bhp/470nm), improved economy, revised gearboxes (both manual and sportshift), lighter clutch, revised suspension, chassis and dampers, optional sportpack (with further improved springs, dampers and rear anti-roll bar and 5spoke lightweight wheels).
Trim : New wheels as standard, revised centre console (taken from DBS), additional aux connectivity, ECU key/start button, new HDD sat nav system, new LED interior lighting, pen, optional front parking sensors.
Available from late 2008.
Even fuller info can be found here : http://www.astonmartinmedia.com/content/allsites/d...
If you can afford it the 4.7 is a big step up, if not dont worry the 4.3 is a great car too.
The 997 and AM V8V and two cars competing in the same bracket but each delivers its package in a completely different way - test drive the two and you will see the difference is huge yet both are equally superb at what they do in their own way. The 997 is a slightly better drive and the seats are significantly more supportive than the AM V8V's, it is clinically superb in every way. The V8V is just hands down more beautiful, sounds like nothing else the right side of £100k and is just a total sensory package all round. Your head will always say 997, your heart AM V8V.
Pick up my brand new 4.7 Man Coupe tomorrow, and leaving behind my 2nd 997, which is a gen2 C2S PDK.
Rather excited (in case you cant tell from all the bumph above)! Cant wait!!!
Edited by Adam2S on Thursday 23 July 23:18
Adam2S said:
Pick up my brand new 4.7 Man Coupe tomorrow, and leaving behind my 2nd 997, which is a gen2 C2S PDK.
Rather excited (in case you cant tell from all the bumph above)! Cant wait!!!
Nice summary Adam & congrats on the new 4.7, I'm a nearly a year into mine & still enjoying the beast, don't forget images & spec please Rather excited (in case you cant tell from all the bumph above)! Cant wait!!!
the only downside is you will have to change your login from Adam2S to Adam4.7V8 Sound advice and there are definitley very good deals to be had with the AMV8. For the price for a used one I dont think anything comes close. Being from up North myself, I find the better deals are definatly down South, as there is just the one franchised dealer in Scotland. I am leaving the Aston stable for now. being tempted by an R8.
Grant3 said:
Nice summary Adam & congrats on the new 4.7, I'm a nearly a year into mine & still enjoying the beast, don't forget images & spec please the only downside is you will have to change your login from Adam2S to Adam4.7V8
Pics and info on my new car here : http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... the only downside is you will have to change your login from Adam2S to Adam4.7V8 forza whites said:
Pugsey said:
RPT said:
Thanks for all your replies,decision made and already in discussion with a Bentley dealer on one that is for sale in Glasgow (FYI I live in the NE Scotland)
Viewed the car and looks to be in excellent condition with only one concern on my part. Car has had 2 owners(no problem)but with 18k miles on the clock it has only had the 1st PDI inspection and second service which was not done until 15k miles(which was actually the 20k service)should I be concerned that this is a reflection on previous owners and how the car may have been treated?, I myself would not be too bothered of going over the annual service interval if I had very few miles done between last service but would not consider going over the mileage on the first service by 5k on this type and expense of car, your thoughts appreciated.
Probably means nothing and may be a perfectly fine car. But why bother if it gives you even the slightest doubt? Still a buyers market with loads of other cars out there. Either that or use it to haggle a good deal...........Viewed the car and looks to be in excellent condition with only one concern on my part. Car has had 2 owners(no problem)but with 18k miles on the clock it has only had the 1st PDI inspection and second service which was not done until 15k miles(which was actually the 20k service)should I be concerned that this is a reflection on previous owners and how the car may have been treated?, I myself would not be too bothered of going over the annual service interval if I had very few miles done between last service but would not consider going over the mileage on the first service by 5k on this type and expense of car, your thoughts appreciated.
If I was turned off by a Gen 2 997...price/depreciation etc and fancied a AM V8....
what are the diffences between the 4.3 and 4.7...are they purely engine? when did the changes
hit the market? Thanks D
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